THE State Government has vowed to pursue a major North Queensland trucking company for possible breaches ­despite having 742 charges dropped in the Tully Magistrates Court this week.

Blenners Transport, the company that transports much of North Queensland’s banana crop, won round one of a legal tussle with the state Department of Transport over alleged breaches of fatigue management laws.

The department said yesterday it was continuing to pursue Blenners Transport and its director Les Blennerhassett over 53 charges.

Magistrate Janelle Brassington awarded costs of $3500 in favour of Blenners Transport at a hearing in Tully Magistrates Court this week where 742 charges levelled against Blenners Transports and four of its staff were ­dismissed.

Blenners Transport has ­previously denied pressuring its drivers to break the law.

Matthew Smith of Sparke Helmore Lawyers said the 742 charges had been dismissed because they were “fundamentally flawed”. Mr Smith said they would rigorously defend the other 53 charges.

A spokesman for the transport department declined to say why the department had not proceeded with its initial 742 charges: 150 against the company and 592 against four of the company’s management team.

In a statement, a spokesman said the department was pursuing similar charges against Blenners in several court jurisdictions around Queensland.

“This involves 26 charges against the director (Les Blennerhassett) and 27 charges against the company, which involve similar charges to those that were dismissed,” the spokesman said.

“Proceedings are ongoing. As such, we are unable to make any further comments.”

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